Flin Flon’s crime rate rose modestly in 2013 even as violent offences plummeted to their lowest level in years.
Newly released figures from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics show that overall per-capita crime in the community went up eight per cent last year compared to 2012.
“It’s a marginal increase, but it’s something we certainly need to recognize and review the numbers, and see where we can draw conclusions and work towards making improvements,” said Sgt. Shayne Smith of the Flin Flon RCMP.
Flin Flon RCMP reported a total of 958 Criminal Code violations in 2013, up 69 incidents from the previous year.
But the nature of the crime shifted, with the per-capita violent crime rate tumbling 40 per cent.
Included in that statistic were nearly half as many physical assaults (70 from 124) and sexual assaults (five from nine).
Overall, the 119 violent crime incidents reported
in 2013 were the fewest since 2009.
Smith said violent crime is a broad category with so many variables that it is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for an increase or decrease.
The same could be said for drug violations, which fell 34 per cent on a per-capita basis (23 from 35).
That came even as incidents of cocaine trafficking, production or distribution quadrupled (12 from three). Incidents of the same crime involving marijuana nearly halved (six from 11).
Thefts of $5,000 or less declined by six per cent (33 from 35). Also down were weapons violations (two from six).
And whereas there was one homicide in 2012, none were reported in 2013 – the first time that had happened since 2011.
Break-and-enters were among the categories in which crime shot up, with a 37 per cent per-capita upsurge (48 from 35).
See ‘Property’ on pg. 2
There were also four robberies, up from zero in 2012. Also rising (six from zero) were cases of arson.
Motor vehicle thefts rose slightly as well (seven from five).
Little surprise
Property crime climbed nine per cent (411 from 377), a figure that came as little surprise to police.
“Property crime has been one area where we’ve seen a definite increase even over the last couple of months, and it’s something we’re actively looking at,” Sgt. Smith said.
Just as concerning is the 32 per cent rise (29 from 22) in impaired driving incidents.
Disturbances to the peace, a relatively minor yet frustrating crime, spiked 82 per cent, but again Sgt. Smith said many potential factors were at play.
The crime figures illustrate how a relatively small number of people are responsible for Flin Flon’s crime – at least in cases where charges were laid.
In 2013 crimes in Flin Flon led to 165 people being charged – 137 adults and 28 youth. That’s fewer than 2012, when 197 people were charged, consisting of 159 adults and 38 youth.
But merely reviewing the hard stats does not put the crime scene into the proper perspective, police have said.
In previous interviews, RCMP have said that because of the relatively small number of crimes in Flin Flon, it only takes a few incidents to skew the overall data.
Moreover, crimes like break and enters and property damage fluctuate largely around young people going through criminal phases and which residents happen to be in or out of the community – or jail – at a given time.
Then there’s the issue of known crime versus unknown crimes. Were there more impaired drivers on the road in 2013, or did police just catch more of them? It’s impossible to tell.
For his part, Sgt. Smith said more effective police work can impact specific crime rates.
He pointed to the diminished number of complaints coming from Main Street since police established a downtown strategy that includes regular foot patrols.
RCMP also stand to benefit from a Citizens on Patrol program now being developed by volunteers to provide police with extra sets of eyes and ears throughout the community.
Sgt. Smith said all crime concerns him and that every citizen is entitled to a safe community.
“And that’s something we want to strive towards,” he said.
